What should I do if an insurance company wrongly denies a claim?

Am I required to enroll in or opt out of Medicare?

Dental Students

How can I apply for a scholarship from the ODA Foundation?

More information about scholarships and how to apply can be found here. Eligibility includes Ohio residency, academic excellence and financial need. Eligible students must be enrolled in a dental education program at a school with ADA accreditation.

Do students have access to the members-only section of oda.org?

Dental students who are ASDA members have access to the members-only section of the website. You can activate your account here. You will need to enter your ASDA number (using no hyphens) and an email address, and you will then create a password.

Legal Issues

How should I handle the treatment of minors with separated, unmarried or divorced parents?

How can I avoid an antitrust violation?

Do I have to make a patient's record available to him or her?

Membership

Am I only joining the ODA?

Membership is tripartite. That means you join the ODA, ADA and your local dental society. The ODA dues invoice includes membership at all three levels. The unity of tripartite membership produces a more effective dental profession.

Can I pay my dues online?

Yes. You can renew your membership here and new members can join here.

How does retirement affect my membership? How do I qualify for Retired Membership status?

How do I enroll in the prepayment installment program for membership dues?

How do I apply for membership?

Simply fill out the online application here and a membership welcome kit will be mailed to you. You can also call (800) 282-1526 or download the application here.

ODA Foundation

What is the ODA Foundation and how does it relate to the Ohio Dental Association?

The Ohio Dental Association Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the ODA, committed to helping Ohioans. Its mission is to improve the oral health of the citizens of Ohio and enhance the dental profession in the state. The foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees and assisted by other ODA staff.

What does the ODA Foundation do in Ohio?

Through donor support, the ODA Foundation helps make a difference for future dentists and vulnerable populations in Ohio by awarding annual grants and scholarships. Hundreds of Ohio dental school students have received financial assistance and countless more uninsured and low-income Ohioans have received free dental care and a healthier smile thanks to community dental programs that we help.

How is the ODA Foundation supported and managed?

The ODA Foundation is financially supported and continues to grow due to the generosity of dentists and other friends of the foundation, including the ODA and ODASC. Annual fundraisers and general donations are common forms of support. Investments are maintained in accordance with ODA investment policies, and with the philosophy of “investing prudently and with diligence while attempting to obtain a return on investment equal to or greater than the current inflation rate,” as defined in the investment guidelines.

Can I donate in recognition of another person?

Yes. Donations can be made in honor of or in memory of any individual. To make a secure in-recognition of donation online click here.

Are my donations tax-deductible?

The ODA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation registered in the State of Ohio. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Consult with your financial and/or legal advisor for advice on the best form of giving for you.

What are the criteria to serve on the ODA Foundation Board of Trustees?

ODASC

How do I decide what product is best for me and my office?

A team of ODASC staff members is available to help ODA member dentists purchase products and decide which will be a good fit for their practices. ODASC representatives are experienced and are not paid through commissions, so their only interests are making sure dentists’ needs are met.

To contact an ODASC representative, call (800) 282-1526.

Why should I purchase ODASC-endorsed products?

The Ohio Dental Association Services Corp. (ODASC) has researched and endorsed products and companies to help dentists save time and money. ODASC helps dentists save money by securing discounts on products and services available exclusively for ODA members and by finding products and services that provide the best value for the price. ODASC is overseen by a board of directors including ODA member dentists. Before endorsing a product or service, the board researches and tests it to make sure it is the best available and will fit Ohio dentists’ needs.

ODASC representatives can also serve as liaisons between ODA members and endorsed companies because they have spent years building relationships at each company. If an ODA member should ever have a question or need to contact a company with a problem, ODASC representatives can step in and get a quick response.

I am looking for health insurance. Can ODASC help?

Experienced ODASC representatives can provide health insurance quotes from multiple different private insurance companies so you can choose a plan that best fits you and your family’s needs. These plans do not come from healthcare.gov and are not government plans. ODA members and their staff who need to enroll in insurance should call ODASC at (800) 282-1526 to learn more about their options and for help enrolling in a plan. For more information, click here.

Regulatory Compliance

What do I need to be aware of when interacting with government regulators?

Does every dentist have to register for the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS)?

Volunteer Opportunities

How can I become more involved with the Ohio Dental Association?

How can I become a Dental OPTIONS provider?

Dental OPTIONS providers treat patients in need through donated and discounted care. Dentists have control over the number and type of patients they decide to treat. Referral coordinators link dentists with patients and take care of administrative tasks. Volunteers also may be eligible for up to four CE credits. A Dental OPTIONS dentist enrollment form can be found here. For more information about the program, click here.

How can I plan a Give Kids a Smile event?

How can I get involved in my local community?

Dentists are encouraged to volunteer with two ODA programs:

Operation TACTIC(Teens Against Chewing Tobacco In the Community) is a program that works to help educate Ohioans on the risks of using smokeless tobacco, emphasizing that use is dangerous and can result in oral and other cancers. In order to deliver the message about the dangers of smokeless tobacco, the ODA relies on member dentists to give presentations at local schools, community events or to patients in their own offices.

Smiles for Seniors is a program designed to help maintain the oral health of older adults living independently, in assisted living, in short-term rehabilitation, and for those who are semi-dependent and rely on assistance from a family member or caregiver. Member dentists can give presentations to local nursing homes, adult day care facilities, and other older adult care facilities about the importance of continued good oral health care for older adults.

For more information and to participate in either program, email morgan@oda.org or call the ODA Department of Public Service at (800) 282-1526.

Dentists can also participate in the ODA's access to care initiatives: Give Kids a Smile and Dental OPTIONS. For more information on how to get involved with these programs, see the questions above.

Website

How can I activate my oda.org user account?

To activate your account, click here. You will need to enter your ADA number or ASDA number for students (using no hyphens) and an email address, and you will then create a password.

What if I'm not sure if I created a user account on oda.org?

You can try creating an account here using your ADA number. If you have already created an account associated with that ODA number, an error message will appear saying you have already created an account. A link to retrieve your password will also appear along with the message.

What if I forgot my oda.org password?

If you have forgotten your password, click here and enter the email address associated with your account. A link will then be sent to your email account. If you cannot remember what email address is associated with your account or you do not receive an email with a link to reset your password, please call the ODA at (800) 282-1526.